Joseph Maran gave Ventris Memorial Lecture

07. Jun. 2017

Prof. Joseph Maran, Director of the Cluster “Asia and Europe”, gave the “Michael Ventris Memorial Lecture” at the University of London on May 17. It focused on “Tiryns-From the Rise of Its Palace to the Post-Palatial Resurgence”.

Prof. Maran’s lecture dealt with three centuries in the history of Tiryns. From its seemingly sudden growth into a major Mycenaean center in the 14th century BC and then - following the destruction of the palace - to its re-emergence as the most important locale in the Argolid during the 12th century BC. Clear evidence has emerged that the northwestern sector of the Lower Town was developed systematically in the 12th century. A process of urbanization that bears some resemblance to town planning in Cyprus at that time is visible. Yet these developments were relatively short-lived and, after roughly two generations, abandoned. The results of recent excavations that were presented in his lecture, thus continue to provide new insights into the post-palatial era at Tiryns and beyond.